"One of the exhibits Samsung has now made public tells an interesting tale. It's the slide presentation that Apple showed Samsung when it first tried (and failed) to get Samsung to license Apple's patents prior to the start of litigation. While some of the numbers were earlier reported on when the exhibit was used at trial, the slides themselves provide more data - specifically on the difference between what Apple wanted Samsung to pay for Windows phones and for Android phones. The slides punch huge holes in Apple's FRAND arguments. Apple and Microsoft complain to regulators about FRAND rates being excessive and oppressive at approximately $6 per unit, or 2.4%; but the Apple offer was not only at a much higher rate, it targeted Android in a way that seems deliberately designed to destroy its ability to compete in the marketplace." Eagerly awaiting the 45 paragraph comment explaining how this is completely fair and not hypocritical at all. Bonus points if it includes something about Eric Schmidt being on Apple's board, and, double bonus point if it mentions one of the QWERTY Android prototypes. Mega Epic Bonus if it somehow manages to draw a line from Edison, Tesla, to Jobs.

That's fair enough, of course, but it might not be an unreasonable way to interpret the slides. For example, at the bottom of slide 8 it states that "an iPhone advanced mobile class device would require all 3 licences". The implication is that a licence would be required (and is therefore essential).

I wasn't impressed by the Groklaw article, and clearly there's a lot of interpretation going on. However, since I didn't look at the patents in detail myself, I really can't judge whether they could be considered essential or not. I appreciate you've made up your mind on the matter though!